Wright County Board Minutes

WRIGHT COUNTY BOARD MINUTES
JANUARY 7, 2014
Bob Hiivala, County Auditor/Treasurer, called the meeting to order at 9:00 A.M. and asked for an election of the Chairperson for the coming year. Commissioner Borrell was absent. On a motion by Potter, second by Daleiden, all voted to elect Husom as Chairperson for 2014; and then Commissioner Husom presided at the meeting.
On a motion by Daleiden, second by Sawatzke, all voted to elect Potter as Vice Chairperson for 2014.
On a motion by Daleiden, second by Potter, all voted to dispense with the reading of the minutes of 12-31-13 and approve them as written/revised.
On a motion by Daleiden, second by Sawatzke, all voted to transfer back any unused funds in the County Attorney’s Contingency Fund, the Sheriff’s Contingency Fund, and the Incidental Fund to the General Revenue Fund.
On a motion by Daleiden, second by Potter, all voted to recall all unused clerk hire and unused budgets for 2013.
The Board discussed setting the County Board Meetings for 2014. Daleiden asked that this discussion be tabled until all five Commissioners are present. He would like the Board to determine at the beginning of the year what meetings will be cancelled in 2014 because of five Tuesdays in a month. The current practice involves taking action the month prior to when a meeting is cancelled. Daleiden would also like to discuss having one County Board Meeting a month in the late afternoon or evening. Brian Asleson, Chief Deputy Attorney, said if the Board does decide to delay action on setting their meetings for 2014, at minimum they need to take action on whether to set a County Board Meeting on 1-14-14 so it can be posted. Sawatzke made a motion to set the County Board’s regular sessions for every Tuesday in 2014 at 9:00 A.M., seconded by Potter. The motion failed 2-2 with Daleiden and Husom casting the nay votes. Daleiden moved to set a County Board Meeting for 1-14-14 at 9:00 A.M., seconded by Potter, carried 4-0.
The Chairperson presented the 2013 list of committee members and asked the County Board to convey their preferences and suggestions regarding committee designations for 2014.
On a motion by Daleiden, second by Potter, all voted that the appointments of committees for 2014 be made by the Chairperson with the approval of the Board and that the first member named act as Chairperson of the Committee and the County Coordinator act as Secretary. Alternates are designated on the Committee by ( ).
The following is a list of the 2014 appointments:
COMMITTEE; 2014 APPOINTMENTS
Budget Committee Of The Whole; All Commissioners, Coordinator, Aud./Treas.
Building, Furniture & Equipment; Daleiden, Potter, Coordinator, (Borrell)
Capital Improvement/Finance; Daleiden, Sawatzke, Auditor/Treasurer, Attorney, Coordinator, (Potter)
Civil Defense; Sawatzke, Husom, Coordinator
Committee to Inspect Ditches; Two Commissioners as appointed by Board, Auditor/Treasurer
Deferred Compensation; Daleiden, Sawatzke, Coordinator, Auditor/Treasurer, Chief Deputy Attorney
Forfeited Tax Sales; Borrell, Potter, Auditor/Treasurer
Labor/Management Health Insurance; Potter, Borrell, Coordinator, (Husom)
(Also two Personnel Representatives, one Department Head representing the Leadership Team, and one Representative from each union)
Labor/Management Loss Control; Borrell, Husom, Coordinator, Assistant County Coordinator, Risk Manager, Emergency Management Coordinator
(Also one Representative from each unit: Teamsters, WCDA, AFSCME, and 49’ers)
Noxious Weed Appeal Committee; Daleiden, Borrell
Personnel & Employee Relations; Husom, Sawatzke, Coordinator, (Potter)
Technology; Borrell, Daleiden, IT Director, Auditor/Treasurer, Highway Engineer, Human Services
Representative, Sheriff Representative, Surveyor, Coordinator, (Husom)
Transportation Committee of The Whole; All Commissioners, Highway Engineer, Coordinator
Union Negotiations; Husom, Sawatzke, Coordinator, (Daleiden)
Ways & Means; Husom, Sawatzke, Coordinator, (Borrell)
The Board discussed the Advisory Board appointments. Potter spoke previously with Borrell who is in agreement with assigning Potter to the Economic Development Partnership Board in place of Borrell. Sawatzke moved to accept the Advisory Board appointments including the change from Borrell to Potter on the Economic Development Partnership Board. The motion was seconded by Daleiden and carried unanimously. The following is a list of the Advisory Board appointments:
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS; 2014 APPOINTMENTS
Area Transportation Planning (ATP); Potter
Bertram Chain Of Lakes Advisory Board; Sawatzke, Daleiden
Central MN EMS Region, Joint Powers Board; Husom (Borrell)
Central MN Jobs & Training, Joint Powers Board (JTPA), Workforce Center; Husom
Clearwater River Watershed District; Husom
County Extension Service; Borrell, Potter
Crow River Organization Of Water (C.R.O.W.); Borrell (Potter)
Delegates to AMC; All Commissioners, Auditor/Treasurer, Coordinator, Highway Engineer
East Central Joint Powers Board; Sawatzke, Court Services Director
Economic Development Partnership Board; Potter
Great River Regional Library Board; Sawatzke
Highway 55 Coalition; Potter, Husom, (Highway Engineer)
Historical Society; Sawatzke
Law Library Board; Husom
Legislative Matters; All Commissioners
Meth Education And Drug Awareness (M.E.A.D.A.); Husom
Mid Minnesota Mississippi River Resource Conservation And Development (RC&D); Daleiden
Monticello Joint Planning Board; Sawatzke
Parks Advisory Board; Daleiden
Planning Commission; Borrell
Public Works Labor/Management; Husom, Coordinator, (Sawatzke)
Region 7W Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee; Potter (Sawatzke)
Region 7W Transportation; Potter
Regional Crime Lab; Husom
Regional Radio Board; Borrell (Husom)
Safe Communities of Wright County; Husom
Soil & Water Conservation District; Borrell
Twin Cities Urbanized Areas (UZA) Boundaries; Daleiden
Water Management Task Force; Daleiden
Wright County Ag Society; Borrell
Wright County Community Action Council; Daleiden, Borrell, City Representative
Wright County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee; Husom
The following items were petitioned onto the County Board Agenda under Items For Consideration: #2, “State Economic Competitiveness Summit” (Potter); #3, “Planning Commission Appointment, David G. Thompson, Otsego” (Daleiden); #4, AMC Leadership Development Academy, 1-23-14 & 1-24-14” (Daleiden). Daleiden moved to approve the Agenda as amended, seconded by Sawatzke, carried 4-0.
On a motion by Sawatzke, second by Daleiden, all voted to approve the Consent Agenda:
A. ADMINISTRATION
1. Authorize Participation In The Minnesota Cities Participation Program (First Time Homebuyer) For 2014.
2. Authorize Signatures On Parenting Through Divorce Contract With Mary Ann Peterson, Eff. 3-01-14 Through 12-31-14.
B. AUDITOR/TREASURER
1. Approve Renewal of 2014 Tobacco License for: Club 131, Inc., (City of Maple Lake); Broadway Kwik Stop LLC. (City of Monticello); Ecig Logic LLC (City of Monticello); Shag-Bark Inc. DBA Riverview Liquorette (City of Otsego).
C. HUMAN SERVICES
1. Position Replacements:
A. Child Support Officer.
D. PLANNING & ZONING
1. Reappoint Ken Felger To The Planning Commission, Term Effective 1-01-14 to 12-31-16.
Bob Hiivala, Auditor/Treasurer, said bids were accepted for the 2014 legal newspaper:
Herald Journal
Line length in picas 10.5
Lines per inch in legals 10
Length in lower case alphabet 84
Cost per column inch for legals 0.01
Delano Herald Journal
Line length in picas 10.5
Lines per inch in legals 10
Length in lower case alphabet 84
Cost per column inch for legals 2.99
Hiivala recommended the Board approve the Herald Journal as the 2014 Official Newspaper. Sawatzke moved to approve the recommendation, seconded by Potter, carried 4-0. Sawatzke said the Herald Journal is providing an outstanding service to the County at a very low cost.
The claims listing was reviewed. Daleiden referenced a claim on Page 4, RT Vision, Inc. ($2,985.00). Hiivala said the expense relates to a computerized time off request system for employees. This was approved on 4-16-13 by the County Board. Sawatzke referenced a claim on Pages 7 & 8 to Ralph Borell ($1,029.97) for ski rental package reimbursement. Marc Mattice, Parks Administrator, said the Parks Department budgeted $1,000 in 2014 for the purchase of cross country ski packages for Ney Park and additional stock. The Parks Department participated in a sale of used ski equipment at the Three Rivers Park District. Purchase of the equipment was completed by Borell personally as the Three Rivers Park District would not charge to Wright County. Borell is seeking reimbursement for the purchase. Daleiden referenced a claim on Page 13, Beaudry Propane Inc. ($2,340.99) and the funding source of “Landfill Post-Closure”. The explanation given is that there are three funds relating to waste management including landfill post closure, landfill surcharge, and SCORE. Two of the three funds are used for recycling, waste abatement, hazardous waste, and problem materials. Those funds cover the expenses at the Compost Facility. Daleiden referenced claims on Page 5, AMI Imaging Systems Inc. for Acorde Annual Support out of Professional Services. He questioned the status of the process to separate costs associated with software, etc. Hiivala said this will be done at a future date. Daleiden moved to approve the claims as listed in the abstract, subject to audit, for a total of $451,000.18, with 69 vendors and 110 transactions. The motion was seconded by Potter and carried 4-0.
Brian Asleson, Chief Deputy Attorney, requested signatures on a Quit Claim Deed from Wright County to Stockholm Township. The County Board adopted Resolution #13-56 on 12-17-13, revoking certain road right-of-way to Stockholm Township. This was part of the recent CSAH 3 project undertaken by the Highway Department. The Deed follows up on that Resolution and conveys all interests in the described property from the County to the Township. Daleiden moved to authorize the signature of the Board Chair and Coordinator on the Quit Claim Deed. The motion was seconded by Potter and carried unanimously.
Marc Mattice, Parks Administrator, requested the Board authorize signatures on the 2014 Park Caretaker Agreement with Green View Inc. The Agreement provides Wright County with contract caretakers for Beebe Lake, Otsego, Clearwater/Pleasant, Fairhaven Mill, and Robert Ney Parks. The total contract amount (not to exceed figure of $95,313.92) is within the 2014 budget figure, when including reimbursement received from Stearns County for services at Fairhaven Mill. Daleiden moved to authorize signatures on the 2014 Park Caretaker Agreement with Green View Inc. The motion was seconded by Sawatzke and carried unanimously.
Virgil Hawkins, Highway Engineer, presented the 12-31-13 Transportation Committee Of The Whole Minutes and recommendations. At today’s County Board Meeting, Daleiden moved to accept the minutes and recommendations as presented, seconded by Sawatzke, carried 4-0:
1. Introductions
Chairperson Sawatzke called the meeting to order and introductions were made.
2. Review Revised 70th Street Agreement with Otsego [Attachment 1]
Hawkins reviewed the recommendation that had been made at the November 19th TCOTW meeting
[It was the recommendation of the TCOTW that County Engineer Hawkins review with staff the proposed agreement with the Cities of Albertville, Otsego, and St. Michael for the future maintenance of future CSAH 37 and future CR 137, and that he return to a future TCOTW meeting with a revised agreement.] and said that it was less cumbersome to enter into an additional agreement, since the first one [Attachment 2] had been signed by the cities of both St. Michael and Albertville and the additional agreement did not affect them. A separate agreement with the City of Otsego was drafted, and Hawkins said that it addressed the maintenance items that would be affected by the reconstruction of 70th Street and the subsequent redesignation of part of CSAH 37 to CR 137. Potter commented that he had spoken briefly with Albertville’s city administrator, and he had indicated that he had no issues with this agreement between Otsego and Wright County. Two needed corrections to the agreement were noted: Item 1, seventh line, change County Road “37” to “137;” and First paragraph, Page 1, Change “Agreenent” to “Agreement.” The City of Otsego will deliver signed corrected copies to the County Board for the meeting on January 7, 2014.
RECOMMENDATION: It was the recommendation of the TCOTW that the County Board approve the aforementioned agreement with the City of Otsego and the original agreement with the Cities of Albertville, Otsego, and St. Michael.
3) Review Federal Funding Candidate Projects
Hausmann explained that four projects in Wright County will be submitted for federal funding, three of which will be addressed in a resolution [Attachment 3] before the Board. One project will be submitted by Franklin Township, with Wright County as its sponsoring agent. This will be for reconstruction of Farmington Avenue, which has been designated as a major collector and is now eligible to make application for funding. Sawatzke commented that this has become an expensive road for the township, and it would be nice if they could get the money. However, Hawkins said that it probably won’t rate very high on the grid because of all the competing needs in Region 7-W. Wright County will be submitting for the City of Rockford an application for the improvement of the intersection of CSAH 32 and TH 55, at the western city limits of Rockford. Rockford has completed the application, and a developer and the city will be funding much of the project. More traffic will be generated with the coming development, and the new alignment is expected to help make the intersection safer with this increased traffic. A few years ago, a realignment of TH 55/CSAH 32 was proposed a bit farther to the east to line up with Gabler Avenue, but this proposed intersection is west of there. Hawkins said that the TH 55 Corridor Coalition is on board with this, and the city understands that the road (CSAH 32) will have to be built to county standards. Rockford Township is aware of this proposed improvement and is making preparations for how it will affect the township. The third project to be submitted is for pavement preservation (10 miles) of CSAH 37 from TH 25 to just east of CSAH 19. This is on the program for fixing and reclamation in 2018, so they are hoping to get some federal dollars to help with this. This roadway doesn’t have shoulders, so it should score well. Adding rumble strips and safety edges will help get points on the scale. To build shoulders would cost considerably more ($1 million/mile instead of $100,000/mile), so safety improvements are being designed instead. The City of Otsego will be submitting an application for improvements to 70th Street, which will eventually become an extension of CSAH 37. Wright County and the City of Albertville will be submitting a letter of support for that application, but Otsego meets the criteria for population to submit its own application for the project.
RECOMMENDATION: It was the recommendation of the TCOTW that the County Board approve the resolution outlining the three projects that will be submitted by Wright County to MnDOT Region 7W for local federal funding for Fiscal Year 2018.
4) Review 10-Year Work Plan
Hausmann explained that any project submitted for federal funding is required to be on an approved agency plan, and Wright County’s current 10-Year Plan ends with 2015. Some projects included on the last 10-Year Work Plan have been completed, and some projects need to be added. For instance, the CSAH 35 Bridge and the CSAH 3 Reconstruction projects (from Cokato to the south county line) have been completed. The CSAH 37 pavement preservation project and the TH 55/CSAH 32 realignment project, as referenced earlier in the meeting, need to be added to the 10-Year Plan so that they are eligible for application for federal funding. There are also some other projects included on this 10-Year Plan and addressed in the proposed resolution [Attachment 4], which does not include any of the projects that have been included on the formal Five-Year Plan. When asked if the number of projects affected the success of being awarded funds, Hawkins said that the projects are scored on technical merit. It doesn’t matter how many needs you have, but it matters what the needs are. There was some discussion about the possibility of using federal funds to improve that portion of CSAH 37 that will be turned back as a county road, but Hawkins explained that CSAHs which use federal funding to make improvements must remain CSAHs for 20 years, or else the money has to be paid back. Daleiden expressed his interest in having CSAH 37 widened from CSAH 18 to CSAH 19 to incorporate shoulders, but the cost to do this is likely too high. In order to add width to the shoulders, additional right of way would be needed, culverts would need extensions, construction would be required to build the shoulders, and the paving itself would all add to the cost, approximately $900,000 more per mile. Hawkins said hat federal money is limited, and 80% of the project cost is the most that would be awarded. Most projects actually receive closer to 50% of the cost. The recent Wright County CSAH 75 project was exceptional in that Wright County received an extra $1.2 million because some money got turned back by other entities. CSAH 75 already had wide gravel, eight-foot shoulders, so paving was the only thing needed. Meyer commented that CSAH 39 from Monticello to Otsego also has eight-foot paved shoulders. Hawkins said that there is a stretch of CSAH 39 in Otsego that has been identified in the Northeast Plan as being a candidate for four lanes. The representatives from Otsego said that they would like to see this type of improvement made on CSAH 39 because of the amount of traffic that it currently carries, and because that amount is expected to increase. They would like to add those improvements to the 10-Year Work Plan, and Sawatzke said that he would be okay with that. It can always be reprioritized at a later date. Hawkins said that the purpose of the 10-Year Work Plan is to make projects eligible for federal funding, which might affect the likelihood of completing them. The projects currently listed on the 10-Year Work Plan need to be identified for application purposes, and the plan can be revised at a later date. Hausmann suggested that townships and cities be invited to submit their input at the same time, and the 10-Year Work Plan can be revised at that time, at the next Five Year Plan update meeting.
RECOMMENDATION: It was the recommendation of the TCOTW that the County Board adopt the resolution identifying the Wright County 10-Year Work Plan.
5) Set Public Meeting Date for Cost Participation Policy
Following discussion on dates available for setting a public meeting, everyone agreed that the date of Wednesday, February 12 was available. The public meeting will begin at 3:30 p.m. in the Commissioners Board Room, and notices will be sent to townships and cities in Wright County.
RECOMMENDATION: It was the recommendation of the TCOTW that the County Board set the public meeting date for Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 3:30 p.m. to be held in the County Commissioners Board room.
(End of 12-31-13 TCOTW Minutes)
Daleiden moved to adopt Resolution #14-01 approving the 10-Year Work Plan which is a prioritized list of major improvement projects that extend beyond the County’s 5-Year Highway Improvement Plan. The 10-Year Work Plan is needed to identify projects beyond the current Five-Year Plan so the projects will be eligible for applying for federal funding for 2018 and beyond. A copy of the 10-Year Work Plan is available for inspection at the office of the County Highway Engineer. The motion was seconded by Potter and carried 4-0 on a roll call vote. The following is a list of the projects included in the Plan:
Grading, Base & Pavement Projects:
Route; Termini; Length (miles)
6; TH 55 to CSAH 35; 6.7 miles
70th St.; CSAH 19 to CSAH 37; 3.0 miles
Various; I-94 Implementation Projects
19; Intersection Improvements
32; Realignment with Intersection TH 55
Bridges:
CSAH 5; Bridge No. 7164 (over N. Fork Crow River)
CSAH 7; Bridge No. 90700 (over N. Fork Crow River)
CSAH 2; Bridge No. 7244
CR 108; Bridge 90687-Rails
Preservation:
Route; Termini; Length (miles)
37, TH 25 to CSAH 19, 10 miles
3, TH 12  TH 55, 13.9 Miles (Concrete Overlay?)
(End of Resolution 14-01)
Daleiden moved to adopt Resolution 14-02, seconded by Sawatzke, carried 4-0 on a roll call vote:
RESOLUTION 14-02
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has established Area Transportation Partnerships (ATPs) throughout the State of Minnesota to develop prioritized lists of transportation projects seeking federal transportation funding for inclusion in the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP); and
WHEREAS, it is recommended by the County Engineer that Wright County submit an application to MnDOT for Fiscal Year 2018 federal funding for the following projects:
Project; Improvement Description; Cost; Requested
CSAH 37, (TH 25 to 750’ East of CSAH 19); Pavement Preservation (10 miles); $1,900,000; $1,520,000
CSAH 32  Rockford, (N of Rail to TH 55); Realignment at TH 55 (500 feet) Turnlanes; $1,021,000; $816,800
As Sponsoring Agent Only:
Farmington Avenue; Reconstruction (3.9 miles); $625,000; $500,000
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Wright County Board of Commissioners approves the above-mentioned candidate projects for submittal to MnDOT to apply for federal funding for Fiscal Year 2018.
(End of Resolution #14-02)
At the request of Potter, Sawatzke moved to authorize attendance at the State Economic Competitiveness Summit be held on 1-22-14 at the St. Paul RiverCentre. The motion was seconded by Daleiden and carried 4-0.
Daleiden brought forth a recommendation to appointment David G. Thompson of Otsego to the Planning Commission. Sean Riley, Planning & Zoning Administrator, said the next meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled for 1-16-14 but it may be cancelled. There are vacancies on the Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment that will be presented at the 1-14-14 Board Meeting. Commissioner Daleiden stated he will refer the appointment of Thompson to the 1-14-14 Board Agenda.
On a motion by Sawatzke, second by Potter, all voted to authorize attendance at the AMC Leadership Development Academy Workshop in Alexandria on 1-23-14 and 1-24-14.
Bills Approved
Allina Hospitals & Clinic $20,038.92
Ameripride Services 320.17
AMI Imaging Systems Inc 29,721.58
Annandale Rock Products 671.30
Assn of Metro. Cty Officers 520.00
Assurance Fire Protection Inc 330.00
Beaudry Propane Inc 2,340.99
Borell/Ralph 1,029.97
CenturyLink 172.73
Cokato/City of 1,032.00
Commissioner of Transport. 510.00
CRA Payment Center 288.37
Czanstkowski/Don 125.00
ECM Publishers Inc 205.11
Edocument Resources 42,535.51
Elk River Municipal Utilities 135.98
Gabriel/Cathleen 700.00
Glunz Constr. Septic Serv. LLC 130.00
Hardings Towing Inc 352.68
Hennepin County Elections 3,050.00
Hillyard Inc - Minneapolis 2,425.68
Husom/Christine 354.21
Karels Towing 424.34
M & M Express Sales and Serv. 409.30
Marco Inc 2,339.37
Meeker County Auditor 5,030.37
Menards - Buffalo 177.19
Messaging Architects Inc 11,000.00
MN Cty. IT Leadership Assoc 250.00
Monticello/City of 223,700.00
North American Salt Co 80,758.14
Office Depot 496.97
Potter/Michael J 287.50
Ramacciotti/Frank 100.00
Rinke-Noonan 812.50
RTVision Inc 2,985.00
Russell Security Resource Inc 363.75
Setter/Randi 100.00
Voss Lighting 1,615.95
Waste Management-TC West 422.03
West Metro Ophthalmology PA 150.45
Worth/William and Roberta 2,518.00
ZIXCORP 7,137.11
Zrust/Theodore 2,541.00
10 Payments Less Than $100 391.01
Final total 451,000.18
The meeting adjourned at 9:43 A.M
Published in the Herald Journal Jan. 27, 2014.